The Borno State Police Command in Nigeria has provided new details about the arrest of five men in Maiduguri who were wearing T-shirts with the inscription "Tinubu Must Go". The police said the men, aged between 18 and 35, were arrested on September 25 during a routine patrol around the West End Roundabout in Maiduguri. They were found with 15 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, 100 tablets suspected to be D5, a shisha pot, and a pair of scissors.
The five men, identified as Baba Aji Gremami, Mustapha Abba Yemen, Abacha Mohammed Ali, Adam Umar Gubio, and Abdulhamid Mohammed, were charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace, and thuggery. According to the charges, the men conspired to print T-shirts with the inscription "Tinubu Must Go" with the intent to cause a breach of public peace. The alleged offences are contrary to Sections 60, 78, 79, and 392 of the Borno State Penal Code Law.
The police statement, issued by spokesperson Nahum Daso, said the officers encountered the men at about 6 p.m. on September 25 while conducting a routine township patrol. The men were allegedly involved in conduct capable of causing public disturbance and were taken into custody for preliminary investigation. The statement added that the items recovered from the suspects included two T-shirts bearing the inscription "Tinubu Must Go".
The arrests drew criticism from Amnesty International, which accused the authorities of using the law to suppress peaceful political dissent. Amnesty said wearing a T-shirt expressing opposition to President Bola Tinubu did not constitute a crime. The organisation called for the release of the five men and the withdrawal of the charges, and accused the Borno State Government and the police of targeting opposition parties and their supporters.
In response to the criticism, the Borno police command said the Nigeria Police Force is a professional and non-partisan institution that does not discriminate against people based on their political affiliation or views. The command remains committed to the protection of fundamental human rights, the rule of law, due process, accountability, and transparency in the discharge of its responsibilities.
The police said they took the case to court to allow the judicial process to determine the matter based on the evidence presented. They urged members of the public to rely on verified information and allow the court to determine the case. The command did not specify the court where the case was filed or provide details of the allegations relating to the suspected drugs.
Amnesty International urged Governor Babagana Umara Zulum's administration to respect freedom of expression and association and uphold the rule of law. The organisation argued that the right to express political opinions should not be limited to supporters of one political party, and that political opposition is part of human rights.
Key points
- The five men were arrested for wearing 'Tinubu Must Go' T-shirts and found with suspected cannabis and other items.
- Amnesty International condemned the arrests, saying they were a suppression of peaceful political dissent.
- The police defended their actions, saying they were non-partisan and committed to upholding human rights and the rule of law.
